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Finance Manager job description

A Finance Manager runs finance operations for a company, unit or branch. They own the monthly close, MIS, budgeting, banking and compliance, and keep the numbers accurate and on time. The role reports to the GM Finance, AVP or CFO and leads a small finance and accounts team. A good Finance Manager keeps cash and cost in control, gives the business reliable reports, keeps statutory filings clean and is the dependable finance point of contact for the unit.

DetailFor this role
DepartmentFinance and Accounts
LevelManager
Reports toGeneral Manager Finance
Direct reportsFinance Executive, Accounts Officer, Accountant
Experience6 to 10 years in finance with 2 to 3 years managing

Finance Manager job description template

Copy this job description, replace the text in square brackets and post it on your careers page or a job portal.

Job title: Finance Manager

Department: Finance and Accounts

Reports to: General Manager Finance

Location: [City], [office, branch or site]

About the role

A Finance Manager runs finance operations for a company, unit or branch. They own the monthly close, MIS, budgeting, banking and compliance, and keep the numbers accurate and on time. The role reports to the GM Finance, AVP or CFO and leads a small finance and accounts team. A good Finance Manager keeps cash and cost in control, gives the business reliable reports, keeps statutory filings clean and is the dependable finance point of contact for the unit.

Key responsibilities

  • Run the monthly close for the unit and deliver accounts and MIS on time.
  • Prepare and monitor the annual budget and review actual spend against it.
  • Manage cash flow, banking, fund flow and working capital for the unit.
  • Ensure GST, TDS, PF, ESI and other filings are prepared and filed on time.
  • Review and approve payments, journals and provisions within the authority given.
  • Coordinate statutory, tax and internal audits and close observations.
  • Analyse costs and margins and flag issues to the business.
  • Maintain internal controls over payments, credit, expenses and approvals for the unit.
  • Handle receivables collection and payables discipline together with the accounts team.
  • Lead and develop the finance and accounts staff in the unit.

Requirements

  • Chartered Accountant (CA), MBA in Finance or M.Com
  • Broad finance and accounts experience
  • CA Inter with strong experience considered
  • 6 to 10 years in finance with 2 to 3 years managing

KRAs and KPIs for a Finance Manager

Key result areas for the appraisal form, each with a KPI you can measure every month or quarter.

Key result areaHow to measure it
Close on timeUnit accounts and MIS closed by the agreed working day each month
Budget controlSpend held within the approved budget with variances explained monthly
ComplianceAll statutory filings completed by due dates with no penalty in the year
Cash and working capitalReceivable and payable days kept within target
Audit outcomeAll audit observations for the unit closed before the next cycle
ControlsNo control breach on payments or approvals during the year

Skills and tools

Financial operationsMonthly closingBudgeting and MISBanking and cashStatutory complianceAudit coordinationInternal controlsTeam managementAnalysis

Tools used day to day: SAP FICO, Tally Prime, Advanced Excel, GST portal, Bank portals.

Reporting line and career path

General ManagerFinanceFinance ManagerFinance ExecutiveAccounts OfficerAccountant

Interview questions for a Finance Manager

  1. How do you run a monthly close for a unit end to end?
  2. How do you manage cash when receivables are slow?
  3. How do you handle a department that overshoots its budget?
  4. How do you keep statutory filings on time every month?
  5. Describe an internal control you strengthened and why.
  6. How do you develop your accounts team?

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Frequently asked questions

What does a Finance Manager do?

A Finance Manager runs finance operations for a company, unit or branch. They own the close, MIS, budgeting, banking and compliance, manage cash and working capital, coordinate audits and lead a small finance team. They report to the GM Finance, AVP or CFO and are the finance point of contact for the unit.

What is the difference between a Finance Manager and an Accounts Manager?

An Accounts Manager focuses on recording and closing the books. A Finance Manager has a wider brief that adds budgeting, MIS, banking, cash and analysis, and often supervises the accounts function. The accounts role is about accuracy; the finance role adds planning and business support.

What qualifications does a Finance Manager need?

Most Finance Manager roles ask for a CA, an MBA in Finance or an M.Com with six or more years across finance and accounts and a few years managing. Strong closing, budgeting, compliance and banking experience is expected. A strong CA Inter with good experience is often considered too.